About

Claude was born, raised and educated in Iowa.

BS – Art Education, Iowa State University, 1970

 MA – Ceramics, University of Iowa, 1977

 MFA – Ceramics/Drawing, University of Iowa, 1978

After receiving his MFA (minoring in drawing and majoring in ceramics) he accepted a teaching position at Western New Mexico University in Silver City, NM, in 1978. He proceeded to build the ceramics program and thirty-three years later retired in 2010. He was honored with the title: Professor Emeritus, allowing him studio access and continued contact with the student body on an almost daily basis.

Claude focused his responsibilities over the 33 years on teaching and expanding his techniques of expression by experimenting with various firing techniques. Forty-three years later, he was developed expertise in raku, cone-ten reduction firing, salt firing and saggar firing in salt atmospheres.

Experimentation of clay bodies and glazes at all levels has allowed him to develop knowledge that he has passed onto his students. Exhibiting has not been his priority as having to teach numerous classes required outside time to develop courses in photography, art appreciation, art history and art education. Since leaving the University of  Iowa in 1978, Claude has become more of an art generalist, but now that he is retired, he is making vessels again.

Since taking an early retirement because of health, Claude has slowly worked his way back into focus in his clay studio. His passion is clay. His desire to spend time in the studio is contagious.